Roving Reporter.........

This is the last report from our roving reporter Charles Whitwham as advance intelligence advises he will be returning to Christchurch on Friday 2 October 2009;

21 Sept Today I played the first course that was designed by the great Dr Alister MacKenzie, The Alwoodley Golf Club. Founded in 1907, Alwoodley forms part of the famous stretch of golfing territory on the northern fringe of Leeds. The course covers 115 acres of acidic heathland over a part of Lord Harewood's estate. Originally known in the very early days as the Sunningdale of the North, the course has tight fairways cut out through a profusion of heather, gorse and shrubs. It is plentifully and cunningly bunkered and has large undulating and interesting greens. The 11th can be listed as one of the best par 3's in the country. It is an island green surrounded by hazards and it is essential to hit the sloping putting surface... Richard Finch, who won the NZ Open in 2007 when it was first played at The Hills was crowned Yorkshire Amateur Champion at Alwoodley in 2001. The course was also used for Regional Qualifying for this years Open.

I thought I was going okay having reached the turn in a 1 under score of 35. However, 2 loose tee shots on the back 9 resulted in 2 lost balls and back to back 7's on my card - ouch! I finished with a 79 but thoroughly enjoyed testing my skills against MacKenzie.